United Arab Emirates – 26 October 2015: The National Bank of Ras al Khaimah (RAKBANK) today announced a consolidated net profit of AED 1,089.4 million for the first nine months of 2015, a modest increase of 1.5% over the corresponding period in 2014. The Group’s total income grew by 12.0% to AED 2,940.8 million during the nine months compared to the same period last year. This was a result of a year-on-year increase in net interest income and income from Islamic products net of distribution to depositors by 12.4% and non-interest income by 10.7%. 

Operating expenses were up by 1.9% during the nine months compared to the previous year. As the Bank continues to grow its income base and focus on cost optimisation, the cost-to-income ratio dropped to 39.1% from 42.9% during the nine-month period last year. Consolidated operating profit before provision for impairment grew by 19.5% year-on-year to AED 1,791.3 million by 30 September 2015. 

“The Bank continues to see growth momentum in business each quarter despite testing global and regional economic conditions,” commented Peter England, RAKBANK Chief Executive Officer. Net profit was up by AED 15.9 million compared to the corresponding period last year as total impairment charge for the first nine months of 2015 grew to AED 701.9 million. 

“In addition to the more normalised levels of provisioning we have seen in the last 18 months, we have seen stress in some segments of our SME and Commercial lending activities which has pushed our provisioning higher. However the Bank’s focus on growing revenue, maintaining industry-leading net interest margins, and containing cost have allowed us to improve our net profit,” explained England. 

Gross loans and advances increased by 15.5% year-on-year to AED 28.8 billion by the end of the first nine months of the year. Trade Finance volumes grew by 23.2% year-on-year and the Bank began its re-entry into the mid-corporate banking sector. Meanwhile, customer deposits were up by AED 2.1 billion to AED 26.7 billion during the first nine months of 2015 compared to 31 December 2014, of which Islamic deposits increased by AED 489.4 million.

“The Bank will continue to take advantage of market opportunities as we begin to enter into the second year of the Bank’s three-year strategic plan. We launched our second new credit card offering this year, the RAKBANK World MasterCard, in line with our commitment to offering convenient and rewarding banking solutions. Our focus remains on enhancing innovation in our existing businesses to deliver superior service and competitive financial products to customers, while maximizing value to shareholders,” said England.

“In the fourth quarter of this year, the Bank will unveil an improved premium offering under the RAKelite brand, a new market-leading Retail remittance offering, and various insurance products developed by the Bank’s latest subsidiary – RAK Insurance. In addition, the Bank will continue to invest in a growing its branch network alongside simple and convenient digital solutions,” continued England. 

During 2015, total assets have grown by AED 4.1 billion to AED 39.0 billion as at 30 September 2015, mainly as a result of strong growth in Gross Loans and Advances. 

The Bank’s capital adequacy ratio as per Basel II requirement at the end of the quarter is 23.15%, comprising entirely of Tier 1 capital. This is against a current minimum total capital ratio of 12.0% prescribed by the Central Bank in the UAE. At the end of the quarter, the regulatory Eligible Liquid Assets Ratio stood at a healthy rate of 18.5% and Lending to Stable Resources Ratio was 87.3%.Total equity attributable to shareholders totalled AED 7.4 billion including the nine months’ profit.

About RAKBANK
RAKBANK, also known as the National Bank of Ras Al Khaimah, is one of the UAE’s oldest and most dynamic financial institutions. Founded in 1976, it underwent a major transformation in 2001 as it rebranded into RAKBANK and shifted its focus from purely corporate to retail and small business banking.

In addition to offering a wide range of retail banking services, it increased its lending in the traditional SME, Commercial, and Corporate segment in recent years. The Bank also offers Islamic Banking solutions, via RAKBANK AMAL, throughout its 35 branches and its Telephone, Online, and Mobile Banking channels.

RAKBANK is a public joint stock company headquartered in the emirate of Ras Al Khaimah and listed on the Abu Dhabi Exchange (ADX). According to The Banker's Top 1000 Bank Rankings 2015, RAKBANK is the 1^st by Return on Assets in the UAE and the Arab World.

For more information, please visit www.rakbank.ae or contact the Call Centre on +9714 213 0000. Alternatively, you can connect with RAKBANK via twitter.com/rakbanklive and facebook.com/rakbank.

RAKBANK PR Contact:
Lamis Daoud
042915064
lamis.daoud@rakbank.ae